Evaluation of the WALK PEER Programme Supported Transition pilot study

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In 2011, the Walkinstown Association for People with an Intellectual Disability (WALK) developed an innovative 5-year programme of support for young people with Intellectual Disabilities, Autism and complex needs ('special educational needs') to increase their capacity and potential to make informed choices about their future. The impetus for the programme, PEER - Providing Equal Employment Routes - was derived from the perceived lack of choice for young learners with 'special educational needs' moving from compulsory education to further/higher education, training and/or employment, and the absence of the provision of career guidance support in special schools, in an effort to increase the capacity of the young people to make informed choices about their futures, thus providing alternatives to transitioning directly into HSE funded disability services. The Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities (CES- 2015) identified a number of key barriers, including the need for joined-up services and seamless supports. Transitioning from 'special education' was identified as a key challenge for young people leaving compulsory education and finding their way mainstream opportunities in further/higher education, training and employment, thus contributing to the poor levels of employment of people with disabilities in the Irish economy. In December 2022, Minister Foley and Madigan announced details of Dormant Accounts Funding for the WALK PEER Programme to support transitions from school for students with complex special education needs in 10 schools. The findings of this evaluation will be used to inform future policy development in this area. Lot 1: In 2011, the Walkinstown Association for People with an Intellectual Disability (WALK) developed an innovative 5-year programme of support for young people with Intellectual Disabilities, Autism and complex needs ('special educational needs') to increase their capacity and potential to make informed choices about their future. The impetus for the programme, PEER - Providing Equal Employment Routes - was derived from the perceived lack of choice for young learners with 'special educational needs' moving from compulsory education to further/higher education, training and/or employment, and the absence of the provision of career guidance support in special schools, in an effort to increase the capacity of the young people to make informed choices about their futures, thus providing alternatives to transitioning directly into HSE funded disability services. The Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities (CES- 2015) identified a number of key barriers, including the need for joined-up services and seamless supports. Transitioning from 'special education' was identified as a key challenge for young people leaving compulsory education and finding their way mainstream opportunities in further/higher education, training and employment, thus contributing to the poor levels of employment of people with disabilities in the Irish economy. In December 2022, Minister Foley and Madigan announced details of Dormant Accounts Funding for the WALK PEER Programme to support transitions from school for students with complex special education needs in 10 schools. The findings of this evaluation will be used to inform future policy development in this area.